Historical context and criminalization
Kratom was classified under Thailand’s Narcotics Act as a Schedule 5 substance (along with cannabis and mushrooms) in 1979. Enforcement tightened significantly in the early 2000s amid the country’s war on drugs, with arrests and bans peaking—cases rose from around 1,100 in 2005 to over 5,400 by 2009. Traditional use and cultural acceptance existed, but legal pressure suppressed these practices.
Resurgence and increasing public use
Interest in kratom for traditional medicinal use reemerged in the 2010s. By 2019, approximately 1.6 million Thais (31.9 per thousand) had tried kratom, with nearly 10 per thousand using kratom boiled water in the past year. Its uses included pain relief, energy boosting, mood elevation, and addressing sexual health—similar to traditional practices in Southeast Asia.
Legal milestones (2018–2022)
• In December 2018, Thailand legalized kratom for medical and research use.
• January 2021: kratom officially removed from narcotics list. Over 12,000 convictions were expunged and many prisoners were freed (en.wikipedia.org).
• August 2022: the new Kratom Plant Act was published, enabling regulated trade, sale, study, and advertising—while banning sale in schools, parks, etc. (tilleke.com).
Current legal framework
Under the 2022 Kratom Plant Act:
- Possession and personal consumption are legal.
- Sale to minors, pregnant/breastfeeding women, or in prohibited zones (e.g. schools, parks) carries fines up to THB 100,000 and imprisonment (tilleke.com, reddit.com).
- Advertising mixed kratom products with other drugs is banned, punishable by up to 2 years in prison or THB 200,000 fines .
Health benefits and traditional uses
In Thailand, kratom has long been used as a wound healer, local anesthetic, cough remedy, and dewormer. Laborers use it to manage fatigue and occupational stress (en.wikipedia.org).
Strains differ by leaf vein color: white (energizing), green (balanced), and red (sedative, pain relief, sleep aid).
Side effects & risks
While generally considered safe at moderate doses, risks increase with misuse. Side effects include nausea, dizziness, sedation, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, mood changes, and irritability .
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